Clasp.



PATENTED JULY 28, 1903.

W. T. SPILLANE. CLASP.

APPLIOATION FILED DEG. 2. 1902.

N0 MODEL.

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a Mummy 5 as re Mam-mun.wunmnvnma c UNITED STATES Patented July 28, 1903.

WILLIAM T. SPILLANE, OF-REDLAKE FALLS, MINNESOTA.

CLASP.

-519E()IFICA'IION forming part of Letters Patent No. 734,984, dated July 28, 1903.

Application filed December 2, 1902. Serial No. 133,595. (No model.)

To all whom it nwty concern:

Be it known that-I, WILLIAM T. SPILLANE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Redlake Falls, in the county of Red Lake and State of Minnesota, have invented new and useful Improvements in Clasps, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in clasps, and it relates more especially to that class of devices which are adapted to be placed within a pocket of a garment and retain pencils, pens, memorandum books, &c., in position therein.

The object of my invention is to provide a device of simple and inexpensive construction having means whereby articles may be readily placed within the pocket and clamped in position within the clasp independently of each other.

Another object is to provide a simple means of securing the clasp to the pocket.

With the above and other objects in view the invention consists in the novel construction and arrangement of the several parts, which will be more fully hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a view showing the clasp secured in the pocket of a vest. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the clasp detached. Fig. 3 is a central vertical section through the clasp and showing the series of retaining-springs employed, and Fig. 4 is a transverse section showing the means for securing said clasp in the pocket of a garment.

Referring to the figures by numerals of reference, 1 is a substantially U-shaped springmetal body having its front edge turned inward and downward and provided with a series of slits 2, which form spring-strips 3, which are bent in such a manner as to contact at their ends with the inner wall of the body 1. The remaining edge of the body is likewise bent downward, forming a guard 4, having an aperture 5 therein for the reception of a fastener, such as hereinafter described.

In applying this clasp to a pocket the same is placed therein with the guard at extending over the edge thereof. This guard is then connected to the pocket by inserting an ordinary paper-fastener 6 into the aperture 5, and the tongues '7 of said fastener will spread laterally after passing through the cloth and coming into contact with the wall of the clasp. hen a pencil, pen, or similar object is pressed downward into the clasp, the end thereof will come into contact with one of the spring-strips 3 and will force it inward. I This strip will serve to hold the pencil clamped against the opposite wall of the clasp, while those strips 3 which are not depressed, but are located at opposite sides of the pencil, will serve to hold the same in an upright position. As the pencil will be stopped in its downward movement by the bottom of the clasp it will not perforate or otherwise injure the pocket. It will be seen that the clasp is extremely simple in construction and can be readily stamped from one strip of spring metal. As a series of strips 3 are employed a small object is held within the clasp equally as well as a book, tablet, or similar device presenting a broad surface to the springs.

By referring to Figs. 2 and 3 it will be seen that the spring-strips 3 are tapered at the ends, as shown at 8. This permits the springs at opposite sides of the depressed strip 3 to partly overlap the edges of an article which is slightly broader than the spring clasping the same.

In the foregoing description I have shown the preferred form of my invention; but I do not limit myself thereto, as I am aware that modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit or sacrificing the advantages thereof, and I therefore reserve the right to make such changes as fall within the scope of my invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is v 1. A clasp of the character described formed in a single strip of spring metal, and having an inwardly-bent edge comprisinga series of similar parallel spring-strips having tapered ends, and a guard formed at the opposite edge of the body and adapted to receive the edge posite edge of the body extending partly over of the pocket of a garment. one face thereof.

2. Aelasp of the character described formed In testimony whereof I affix my signature in a single strip of spring metal, compris- I in presence of two Witnesses.

5 ing a U-shaped body, a downwardly and in- XVILLIAM T. SPILLANE.

Wardly bent edge thereto having a series of \Vitnesses: parallel strips forming springs, said springs \V. A. MOINTYRE,

having tapered ends, and a guard at the op- J. E. ARGUE. 

